Introduction > Step-by-Step Statistics > Presenting your Data > Using Figures

Using Figures Figures (graphs) are one of the most widely used tools for presenting data. It is common to present mean data in graphs and for statistical data to be entered either as standard error bars on each data point or as a least significance difference (LSD) bar in an appropriate corner of the graph. This allows the reader to quickly see if there are differences between treatments without reading through the text. Although Excel gives you a range of figures to choose from, the general rule is "the simpler the better". Although 3-D graphs look impressive, it can make differences between treatments harder to interpret. The presentation of your figure is critical and there are several factors you should consider before you start constructing it. If your figure is drawn incorrectly, the impact of your results can be lost. If drawn correctly, however, it's easy for a reader to visualise your results with minimum effort. There are several common mistakes, however, that even seasoned professionals fall into the trap of! If you have large volumes of data to present, it may not be possible to use a figure and a table may be more appropriate. If you have a small volume of data to present, a plate may be more suitable. Exercise Have a look at the Results section of a paper, paying particular attention to the graphs Exercise Using the data provided, can you produce high quality, easy-to-read graphs?

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